When you love someone, you want them to be healthy, and your senior family member is no exception. Why not give a holiday gift that will make them feel good and help them take care of their health?

Seniors suffer a long list of potential health concerns, including arthritis, cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease and more. Helping them stay on top of their medications and doctor’s visits is especially important for older adults.

Diet and exercise are also critical to long-term health, so helping your senior loved one get moving and eat more fruits and vegetables can give them a healthy chance at a longer, healthier life.

When buying gifts, consider items that will make their health journey easier. Here are some gift ideas for your senior loved one.

Gifts for Seniors:

New walking shoes— Getting out and moving is very important for long-term health, and some good shoes are the perfect starting place. Look for shoes that are made for walking, and don’t just buy shoes that are labeled as such. Go to a specialty running store for a fitting. A person’s gait is important to finding the right shoe. While you’re there, grab some running socks. Good socks wick sweat away from feet, helping to prevent blisters and sore spots.

A blender or juicer — A juicer can help your loved one take in more healthy fruits and vegetables. If your senior doesn’t know how to make a smoothie or juice blend, help them learn by making some concoctions together. It will make for a fun afternoon of experimentation.

A massage or spa day — Self-care is important for seniors, too. Spending a day at a spa or getting a massage or facial will help them relax and feel refreshed. Seniors are often isolated and unable to socialize, which can lead to depression, so self-care is important. Helping them get out and feel good is a great way to show your love and boosts their mental health.

Medication dispenser — Keeping track of all the medications a senior needs can be very daunting. Getting a smart dispenser can help make sure they get the right doses at the right time. Some are even lockable so the user can’t take more than what’s prescribed.

If needed, spend a little extra time loading up the dispenser so there’s no confusion about the medications and their timing.

A good cane or walking stick — Canes can help seniors with mobility issues move around, and there are lots of options out there: foldable, with a seat, with legs and even some that light up. You can even get canes decorated with skulls and flames, for the senior in your life with a rebellious streak.

Subscribe to a CSA — Community Supported Agriculture is a way to get healthy, local vegetables directly from a farm. Many of them are organic or use organic methods (without being certified organic). If your senior loved one isn’t sure how to use all the vegetables that are in season, you can work with them to find ways to cook healthy meals full of vitamins. Some CSAs allow people to purchase half shares for smaller households, or you can go in on a share as a pair or group, then divide up the veggies. Some CSAs also offer the opportunity to buy fresh eggs or meats when you pick up your shares.

Gifts for Seniors in Long-Term Care

Pedal exerciser — In an assisted living facility, space can be rather limited, so there isn’t necessarily room for a full home gym. However, with a pedal exerciser, your senior can strengthen weakened leg muscles from the comfort of a chair for low impact exercise.

Traveling bookshelf — With a digital e-reader such as a Kindle, your loved one can read all their favorites (and new ones too) without having to depend on others to refresh their stock. The text size can be adjusted to make reading easy, day or night. In addition, reading is a great way to relieve stress, so it mixes fun with a mental health boost.

Puzzles — Mental fitness is important, especially as we age, and nothing keeps the mind occupied and sharp like a puzzle. There are plenty of great, large-piece options for seniors. You can even put a sentimental spin on it by turning a cherished photo into a puzzle they can put together and enjoy.

Toiletry basket — Put together a basket filled with your loved one’s favorite toiletries such as shampoo, lotion, perfume, body scrub, and a pair of comfy socks. Perhaps you could throw together a spa basket and encourage them to enjoy it with a friend to promote socialization.

Comfy pillows — We all have that one pillow that we simply can’t sleep without, but as we age, the right pillow can provide a better night’s sleep. A lumbar cushion or memory travel pillow could be just the ticket to relieving those achy joints so that your loved one can sleep well, wake up refreshed, less stiff, and ready to tackle the day.

Day out — A change of scenery does a world of good, and if your senior is able, a day spent with a friend or family member is a special treat. Give them control over the day, and oblige as many of their requests as possible.

Helping your loved ones stay healthy is the ultimate way to show your love. Good health and healthy habits can help extend their lives as well as keep them healthy and enjoying life longer.

Written for Aftenro by Hazel Bridges @

Many senior citizens are at risk for malnutrition. In fact, 38% of seniors living at home, and 67% of those living in skilled nursing facilities are either already malnourished, or at risk for malnutrition. Seniors living in their own homes often turn to food that is easy to prepare, or just simply convenient. This often leads to a diet consisting mainly of bread, processed foods, or coffee and soda. This type of diet lacks any significant nutrients, vitamins, or minerals that the human body needs to function, and results in malnutrition even in the absence of hunger. Seniors who are living in skilled nursing facilities may become at risk for malnutrition even though they are highly monitored as their cognition declines and they begin to lack the skills to chew and/or swallow.

There are also several other factors that influence these statistics.

Mobility Issues. Seniors who are no longer able to move around their home or kitchen easily to prepare meals are at a greater risk to become malnourished

Inability to Drive. Seniors who lack transportation to the grocery store where they can regularly purchase fresh produce, protein, or dairy products are forced to choose more processed foods which lack crucial nutrients

Isolation. Seniors may feel that cooking for one is too much work, or a waste of time

Be sure to watch for common signs of malnutrition risk in the elderly such as:

Weight loss

Unusual bruising

Cuts or other wounds that take longer than normal to heal

Mouth sores or damage to teeth

Muscle weakness

Injury due to a fall

Confusion, memory loss, or other cognitive decline

Weakened immune system. This is the most serious risk of them all, causing seniors to contract an infection more easily, or to be ill for longer periods of time.

It can be tricky to encourage your loved one to eat a more balanced diet. Here are some ways to promote healthier eating:

Flavor. Use spices, herbs, citrus, umami to make food more interesting and palatable

Color. Make their plate more visually appealing with a variety of vegetables and fruits

Snacks. Find healthy morning and afternoon options they enjoy that will help them to not choose candy, cookies, soda, etc.

See a physician. Ask a doctor for a checkup that may help to identify any potential pain(s) that may be preventing a senior from eating

Unsure if you need to outline your healthcare preferences and end-of-life wishes? The answer is yes, you do. Too often, we wait for a crisis to discuss how we want our medical care to be directed. During these stressful times, there are many decisions that have to be made very quickly. You can ease the stress, and make sure your wishes are known, by creating an advance directive.

An advance directive is a legal document that provides written instructions for the care of your health and finances in the event that you become temporarily or permanently incapable of making or communicating these decisions.

You need an advance directive even if you are you still young. You could have a healthcare crisis or accident at any time, and your family may not know your wishes. If you have children at home, advanced care planning isn’t just about covering medical decisions, it can help outline the safety nets you want in place for other people to take care of them. It’s important to discuss these things with your parents, spouse and children. Your views on what you want may differ from theirs, and it’s crucial that they know how you want your care carried out.

An advance directive is different than a will. Your will only allocates where you want your resources and possessions to go. Your advance directive covers the healthcare decisions you want made. Even if you are pretty sure that your family know what you would want in an emergency situation, they may struggle to make a decision in the moment. They may want to do everything they can to save you, but if you don’t want those extreme measures taken, you need to let them know and have it officially documented in your advance directive. Also, if you know there’s going to be discrepancies between family regarding things like organ donation, DNR orders, or extreme life-sustaining measures, the need to have legal documentation outlining your wishes also helps point to who your healthcare advocate should be.

Many report the belief that discussing end-of-life wishes with their family will upset them. However, open and honest dialogue will help ensure your family knows exactly what you want. Your wishes may be different from another family member’s, and that’s OK. As long as you understand each other, and know where official documentation is filed, both you and your family can have peace of mind knowing decisions about your life and your care will be what you want.

You and your family may go through some anticipatory grief talking about these issues as nobody wants to think about their loved ones dying. However, making these decisions now can help relieve some of your family’s uncertainty, stress and grief in the midst of tragedy. Talk to your local long-term care facility, your county social worker, or an attorney to help get started on the process. It only takes a few minutes of advance preparation to avoid many stressful situations in the future.

Feeling good is about more than just your physical health. In fact, there are several factors that may affect your overall mood. Here are 10 tips to keep you feeling your best:

Go outside. Spending time outdoors can make you feel better — even if it’s only for a few minutes. Try to get regular exposure to natural light, as much as you are able to. Go outside even when it’s cloudy; a small amount of natural light is better than none at all.

Take vitamin supplements. If your body is running short on nutrients such as magnesium or zinc, your brain might be running short on chemicals that regulate mood and keep you in good spirits.

Watch your diet. Refined carbohydrates such as table sugar and fruit juice concentrates do nothing for your mental health. However, protein-rich foods such as chicken, salmon and beans can give your brain a boost. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains are also part of a balanced, healthy diet.

Exercise. Staying active can release feel-good chemicals, boost your self-esteem and give you another reason to go outdoors or stay connected with other people. Even low-impact activities like golf or tai chi are great ways to keep your body moving.

Hit the hay. Let your body and mind recharge with a good night’s rest. Establish a regular sleep routine and try to stick to it every night.

Try something new. Play a new game. Join a new club. Try new foods. Learn a new skill. Having something new to look forward to and a hobby get excited about can be invigorating.

Volunteer. Helping others can help you find a new sense of purpose and value in your talents and presence.

Set limits. An overextended schedule saps your energy. Take regular breaks, including vacations (or staycations). If you’re feeling drained, look for things to cut out from your weekly to-dos.

Laugh. Laughter is good for your immune system and your mood!

Take time to reflect. Prayer and/or meditation can offer you perspective and provide opportunities for reflection, gratitude and peace.

For too many seniors in our country, abuse or neglect is an all-too-real part of life. Knowing the signs of elder abuse, as well as where to get help, can change that. It is important to know the definition of elder abuse. Elder abuse can be:

Physical: such as hitting or restraining a person

Sexual: including any non-consensual contact

Emotional: such as humiliating, intimidating, threatening or repeatedly ignoring a person

Neglect or abandonment: including preventing a person from receiving basic needs

Exploitation: theft of a person’s money, property or assets

Know the WARNING SIGNS OF ABUSE:

Unexplained injuries, such as scratches, bruises or welts

Withdrawal from usual activities and relationships

Sudden changes in habits such as spending, hygiene or appearance

Changes in mood(or mood swings) such as depression, confusion, insomnia, anger or crying

Any mention of mistreatment

Keep in mind that these signs may not be caused by elder abuse, but do follow up to root out the causes.

If you suspect abuse, always dial 911 for immediate help. If someone isn’t in immediate danger but you suspect abuse, talk to the dispatcher about the situation and what you can do.

Remember, some seniors may feel ashamed or afraid to report abuse. You might have to step in to seek help.

Where to find more help:

National Domestic Violence Hotline. This hotline is available 24/7 to offer resources and support. Call 1-800-799-7233.

Physical fitness doesn’t have to mean hours of sweaty workouts. You may not have the time or resources to go to the gym, attend a class or buy equipment to exercise at home. However, it is still possible to improve your physical health. Here are six simple ways to incorporate physical fitness into your daily life.

1. Multitask throughout the day

Balance on one leg while you brush your teeth. Alternate between legs, standing on one in the morning, and the other in the evening